A review by amdaccache
Change: A Method by Édouard Louis

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I am consistently, thoroughly undone by Édouard Louis' writing and that remains true for "Change". His other works have served as meditations on who he is and where he came from in the context of his family, poverty, and homosexuality. And while "Change" does not shy away from that it leans into more of the relationships he built and lost to get to where he is today, after leaving his village and family for the life he is chasing in Paris. It is both a sweeping examination of class and wealth, politic and identity while also being an immensely vulnerable portrayal of the strain the obsessive pursuit to become someone else has on his relationships, especially with his best friend. His willingness to lean in to coming across as selfish or cruel, acknowledging his shame in many of the things he did (or did not do), is refreshing. I think the context of his previous works significantly added to my experience with this book and would recommend reading at least "The End of Eddy", before diving into this one. 

John Lambert's translation work is seamless, nothing about this English translation reads as stilted or awkward.